Blackberry Cosmopolitan Jelly Shots

Blackberry Cosmo Jelly Shot, garnished with a paper-thin slice of raw cranberry and a little lime zest. (Shown with Classic Cosmo, left, and Pear Cosmo, back.)

Funny, but it seems like we were just in Cosmo-ville, oh, wait, we WERE just here (with Pear Cosmo, Mandarin Cosmo and Mango too . . .).  What can I say.  I love a Cosmo.  You must admit, although the Cosmo takes a lot of heat, it's a wonderful cocktail for entertaining - how often do you heard someone say, "oh, a Cosmo?  No thanks, I really don't like Cosmos".  Doesn't happen.
Practically everyone will drink a Cosmo - even the manliest of many men (aka my husband - the classic Cosmo is the only pink drink he will sip in public, he also mixes a mean Cosmo!)

So of course my heart skipped when Cocktail Culture featured a Blackberry Cosmo (click here for the liquid cocktail recipe).  Blackberry brandy replaces the vodka found in the traditional recipe, and gives the jelly shot its wonderful coloring. I had to amend Cocktail Culture's recipe in order to achieve the same lovely lavender shade of their liquid cocktail - switched out the regular cranberry juice for white cran and added a drop of purple food coloring.  Cocktail Culture's recipe specified Hiram Walker Blackberry brandy, but I had another brand on hand.  The brand I used was more red than purple.

Hope you enjoy Blackberry Cosmo (recipe follows) - this jelly shot is perfect for your holiday table and beyond.

Cheers, Michelle

P.S. For my U.S. readers (as well as those who somehow managed to escape our borders to the Sofra Mr. M., this means you!  I know you love a turkey and all the trimmings!) have a great Thanksgiving! I'll be back next week with holiday fun!

Blackberry Cosmopolitan Jelly Shots

Recommended Pan:  Standard Loaf Pan (approximately 8” x 4”)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white cranberry juice cocktail
• ¾ cup Blackberry brandy
• 1/8 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed and strained
• 1/8 cup water
• 1/4 cup Cointreau
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin (if using molds, add 1/2 envelope additional gelatin.  1/2 envelope equals about a teaspoon of gelatin powder.) 
•  Optional, 1 drop purple food coloring (McCormick's makes one in its Neon Colors set)
• Lime zest for garnish, if desired

Pour cranberry and lime juices into a saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin.  Allow to soak for a few minutes.  Heat on low, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the liquors (and, if using, the food coloring), making sure to fully incorporate.  Pour into pan, and chill until set, several hours or overnight.

To serve, cut into shapes (or unmold).  Garnish with lime zest if desired.  Makes 18 to 24 shots.

Links to the rest of the Cosmo family recipes:
Classic Cosmo
Mandarin and Mango Cosmo
Pear Cosmo

More »

A Jelly Shot Thanksgiving

Its Thanksgiving, have a jelly shot! Pictured from bottom up:  Pear Sour, Apple Pie and Bourbon Smash

So many of you have written with a single, burning question - are jelly shots appropriate for Thanksgiving?  The answer is a resounding YES, absolutely.  (For our family gatherings they are practically a necessity . . . but that's neither here nor there . . .).  

Saveur.com is of like mind, and asked us to create three Thanksgiving-themed jelly shots!  The recipes - Bourbon Smash (fresh raspberries, mint and a hint of bourbon); Pear Sour (lemon, pear, gin and a splash of Angustora bitters); and Apple Pie (apple juice, Apfelkorn and Tuaca liqueur) - can be found on Saveur.com (click here to be redirected).

Hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for more holiday friendly jelly shot recipes here at the JSTK blog!

Cheers, Michelle

More »

Espresso Martini Jelly Shots

Espresso Martini Jelly Shot - the high octane version . . . 

Recently we had a lively discussion about cocktails with a very charming London attorney (I get barrister and solicitor mixed up, but at any rate, we shall refer to him as Mr. F.).  Mr. F.'s  favorite cocktail is the Espresso Martini, and his rationale for this choice made perfect sense.  An Espresso Martini is most importantly delicious, however, as a secondary consideration, the cocktail is coffee-based, and therefore caffeinated - very important if one is running on empty by nightfall.  A very efficient libation, indeed!

Recipes for the Espresso Martini abound, some with Bailey's or cream added, and some "black".     As you can see, we like a little variety . . .  

Also, the coffee/espresso is the star of the show in this jelly shot - make sure to brew up some of the good stuff!  

Thanks Mr. F. for the jelly shot inspiration!  

Cheers, Michelle

Espresso Martini Jelly Shot

Implements – pyramid flexible silicon mold * 

Prepare a flexible silicon pyramid mold (we like this one from Kerekes) by spraying lightly with PAM cooking spray, or wiping each mold cavity with a little vegetable oil.  Follow by wiping each mold cavity with a clean paper towel.  This method will leave the slightest reside which will aid in un-molding the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance of your gelatin.

Place the mold on a stable, movable flat surface, such as a cookie sheet or cooling rack (make sure the pan or rack fits into your refrigerator).

Prepare jelly shot mixture.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed dark roast coffee or espresso
• 2 1/2  envelopes Knox gelatin (or 3 if jelly shots will be sitting out for an extended period)
• 1/3 cup espresso flavored vodka (we used Van Gogh Double Espresso, which was quite nice, but feel free to use your favorite . . .)
• 1/3 cup vanilla flavored vodka
• 1/3 cup Kahlua coffee flavored liqueur
• 1 tsp agave nectar or simple syrup (if desired)
• 1 - 2 tbsp Baileys Irish Crème liqueur (if desired)

Pour coffee/espresso into small saucepan. Sprinkle with gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat, and add the vodkas and Kahlua, stirring well to combine. Taste and add agave nectar/simple syrup if desired. 

If making dual-level jelly shots, divide the jelly shot mixture equally into two bowls. Add 1-2 tbsp Baileys to one of the bowls. Spoon a teaspoon of the Baileys mixture into 4 of the mold cavities, then spoon a teaspoon of the espresso jelly shot mixture into 4 additional cavities. Refrigerate until set, about 3 minutes, inverting the mold on one end to create an angled layer.

When set, remove from refrigerator and fill with the alternate jelly shot mixture. You will have 7 mold cavities remaining, fill these with the remaining espresso and the Bailey’s mixtures.

Refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.  To serve, unmold.  

Makes 15 jelly shots.  

*these can of course be set in a 8"x4" loaf pan and cut into squares for serving.  You may wish to reduce the gelatin to 2 envelopes if setting in a pan - the extra gelatin is vital for smooth unmolding, but not really necessary otherwise.  

More »

Rainbow Jelly Shooter

Rainbow Jelly Shooter ... oh yes!

Its been a whirlwind at the test kitchen.  The book is progressing (crossing fingers that it is going to press in early December!), we have been working on a little something (three little somethings, actually) for Saveur.com, and about a million more actions items cropping up here and there, many of which have not received appropriate attention and are currently housed in a bin marked "anxiety provoking".   One of the highlights of our week was a lovely chat with Erin over at Tablespoon.com, who mentioned that they were hosting a Double Rainbow Week, which sounded like such fun!  (And it IS - featured items include double rainbow . . . donuts!  Cookie pops!  bring it on Tablespoon.com!)

So, when the weekend rolled around, rather than trolling cocktail books for jelly shot inspiration, we decided it was high time for a bit of unfettered f-u-n . . . FUN.
That's what jelly shots are all about, anyway, isn't it?  Back to our roots so to speak . . . as such, we are happy to present our nod to sunny days, good times and the old school Jell-o shot, Rainbow Jelly Shooter.  

I love the "rainbow" gelatin technique - borrowed from the popular recipe for kids' finger gelatin.  Only three colors of gelatin are used: red, yellow and blue - the light bends the layers into a rainbow.  Also, while any three colors of gelatin could be used, but be mindful about the color wheel when determining layer placement, as green next to red or purple will result in a less than vibrant shade of brown.  A cylinder shaped silicon mold from Kerekes was used to set the jelly shots, see here for details.

Cheers, 

Michelle

Rainbow Jelly Shooter

Suggested pan: 9" x 13" cake pan, or molds

Yield:  about 45 jelly shots

Garnish: Maraschino cherries, if desired

If flexible silicon molds are used, prepare the molds with a quick spray or wipe of vegetable oil, then wipe the molds clean with a clean paper towel.  This will leave a slight residue to assist in unmolding, but will not affect the taste or appearance of your jelly shots.  

Red Layer

• 1 cup water
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• 1 box 3 oz box cherry or strawberry gelatin dessert
• 1 cup flavored vodka (we recommend Hangar One, Buddha's Hand citrus infused vodka, but your favorite will work just fine!)

Pour water in small saucepan, sprinkle with Knox gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add the gelatin dessert mix, stir until dissolved.  Stir in the vodka.  Pour into pan and refrigerate until fully set, about an hour.  

Yellow Layer

• 1 cup water
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• 1 box 3 oz box lemon gelatin dessert
• 1 cup flavored vodka  (we recommend Hangar One, Buddha's Hand citrus infused vodka, but your favorite will work just fine!)

Pour water in small saucepan, sprinkle with Knox gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add the gelatin dessert mix, stir until dissolved.  Stir in the vodka.  Allow mixture to cool to room temperature, then pour over the set red layer and refrigerate until fully set, about an hour.  

(Note, if you are garnishing with maraschino cherries, add them immediately after the yellow layer is poured in.  Cut the very bottoms off the cherries so they will stand upright.)  

Blue Layer

• 1 cup water
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• 1 box 3 oz box Berry Blue gelatin dessert
• 1 cup flavored vodka (we recommend Hangar One, Buddha's Hand citrus infused vodka, but your favorite will work just fine!)

Pour water in small saucepan, sprinkle with Knox gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add the gelatin dessert mix, stir until dissolved.  Stir in the vodka.  Allow mixture to cool to room temperature, then pour over the set red and yellow layers and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.  (Its ideal to let this chill overnight so the layers can fully bond.)  

To serve, cut into desired shapes or unmold.  

More »

Mandarin & Mango Cosmo Jelly Shots

Mango Cosmo Jelly Shot, garnished with a small wedge of fresh mango

Mandarin Cosmo Jelly Shot (front, pictured with Mango Cosmo Jelly Shot), garnished with a small wedge of mandarin orange

A reader inquired if Jelly Shot Test Kitchen had any recipes featuring mandarin vodka, his wife's favorite liquor.  (Isn't that the cutest thing?  We think its 100% adorable when guys are sweet on their wives . . . ) Apart from the traditional Cosmopolitan Cocktail, we really didn't have anything with mandarin vodka, and as delicious as a Cosmo is, it does't really showcase the sweet orange-y goodness of the spirit.  So we tweaked the classic a bit, and created Mandarin Cosmo and Mango Cosmo Jelly shots - these should fit the bill for all you mandarin vodka lovers out there!  



If you are a fan of flavored vodka, check out Hangar One brand.  Its flavored with the actual fruit - sweet mercy . . . it is so good!  We tried the mandarin flavor in these jelly shots, and went straight back to the store to pick up the citrus, raspberry, and lime.  (This is not a sponsored post - we were just so impressed with Hangar One that we can't help gushing!)


Cheers, 


Michelle

Mandarin Cosmo Jelly Shots

Recommended Pan:  Standard Loaf Pan (approximately 8” x 4”)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup plus two tbsp white cranberry juice cocktail
• 2 tbsp orange juice, strained to remove solids
• 2 tbsp limeade concentrate, thawed and strained to remove solids
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• ¾ cup mandarin or orange flavored vodka (we love Hangar One)
• 1/4 cup Cointreau
• Mandarin orange segments for garnish, if desired

Pour juices, lime concentrate and water into a small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin.  Allow gelatin to soak for a few minutes.  Heat on low, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the vodka and Cointreau, making sure to fully incorporate.  Pour into pan, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.  

To serve, cut into squares.  Garnish with mandarin orange segments, if desired.  Makes 18 to 24 shots.

Mango Cosmo Jelly Shots

Recommended Pan:  Standard Loaf Pan (approximately 8” x 4”)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Mango nectar (we use Ceres Mango juice blend)
• 2 tbsp limeade concentrate, thawed strained to remove solids
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• ¾ cup mandarin or orange flavored vodka (we love Hangar One)
• 1/4 cup Cointreau
• Mango segments for garnish, if desired

Pour mango nectar, lime concentrate and water into a small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin.  Allow gelatin to soak for a few minutes.  Heat on low, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the vodka and Cointreau, making sure to fully incorporate.  Pour into pan, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.

To serve, cut into squares.  Cut small pieces of the mango segments for garnish, if desired.  Makes 18 to 24 shots.

More »